investing in rail is a priority for president obama and this administration. and most importantly, it's a priority for the american people. since 2009 we have received 500 applications. in your statement, mr. chairman, you acknowledged two or three governors who turned down the money. since -- during this period of time we have received 500 applications for the money that was turned back from florida, $2.3 billion, we had $10 billion of requests for that money. the idea that people don't want passenger rail? they do. we have the statistics. but we have the people to tell us this. so let's look at the progress we've made. as a result of this administration's investment, the nation's first true high-speed rail system is set to break ground this year. this 220 mile-per-hour train system carry travelers from los angeles and san francisco in less than three hours, more than twice as fast by interstate. california will have high-speed, true high-spieled trains. speed. we have introduced and are now expanding 110 miles per hour service, and as you indicated, mr. chai